Juanita Johnson and Phyllis Garnett sat at a table with their four grandchildren, enjoying Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and the feeling that someone in the community cared. They, along with dozens of other families, were in the Sweet Auburn district for a holiday gathering and celebration of the human spirit and community.
Ebenezer Baptist Church and Comcast hosted the first “Hope for the Holidays” event inside the church on Saturday, December 20. The event enabled over 100 people to receive bags of groceries, toys, gift wrap, and refreshments from the cookie and hot chocolate station. Children were also able to participate in activities and take photos with a Black Santa Claus. There was also a raffle for children’s bicycles.
The grocery bags included dry goods, non-perishable items, and frozen chicken pieces, courtesy of donations from a food service company. That sense of volunteerism included members of the Ebenezer Baptist congregation, church ministries, and Comcast. Along with the church and communications company leading the charge, the Martin Luther King, Sr. Community Resources Collaborative also contributed to the first annual event. The organization hosts several community-based free events during the year and has more scheduled for 2026, according to Chairman of the Board Ken Palmer.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Watching the children color at the tables before the toys were distributed, Ebenezer Baptist Church Associate Pastor-Children and Youth Ministries, Rev. Donavan Pinner, smiled, grabbed the microphone, and said, “As the youth minister here at Ebenezer Baptist Church, it feels good to see all of these children here today.”
Pinner, a Morehouse man, wore a navy hoodie with the words “Here 2 Serve” in big orange block letters. He wasn’t alone; the volunteers at the event each had a version of that message. One male volunteer wore the t-shirt version, and the back of his shirt featured a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The quote: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” King is one of the small group of men to lead Ebenezer Baptist Church, including his father, brother, and the current Senior Paster Rev. Raphael Warnock, the first Black senator from the state of Georgia.
“It’s important for us to be direct ministries in the community,” said Pinner. “We find connections to resources, and we try to help them in various seasons.”
Rev. Olivia D.A. Maxwell could be found walking around the building, greeting families, directing volunteers, and posing for a group photo with Santa. Maxwell, the Associate Pastor- Congregation Care, said this event and others are for the people.
“The community needs to know that the church cares about their struggles and needs,” she said.
The giving doesn’t stop with the holidays. Ebenezer Baptist hosts “Manna Mondays,” where 11,000 pounds of food is distributed to the public free of charge. For unhoused community members, more ready-to-eat meals will be included in their food bags. Ebenezer Baptist Associate Pastor-Outreach Rev. Bronson Elliott Woods told The Atlanta Voice that the word ‘need’ is essential here.
“This is important because the community is always in need, and members of the community need to respect the needs of their neighbors,” Woods said. “We are very international about what’s going into these bags.”
Comcast donated $13,000 to support ongoing connectivity efforts and digital inclusion programs.